Focused microwave or radio frequency ignition and plasma generation
AssigneeSouthwest Research Institute
InventorsYilun Luo, Brad D. Moore, Christopher Suhocki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of providing spark ignition for an engine or other equipment having a combustion chamber. A radio frequency wave or a microwave (RF/microwave) generator delivers radio frequency waves or microwaves to a transmit antenna inside the combustion chamber. At least one RF/microwave receive antenna is attached to an internal surface of the combustion chamber and comprises two or more RF/microwave focusing features with a spark gap between them. The transmit antenna wirelessly energizes the receive antenna, which generates a spark between the two focusing features.
Claims16
A method of providing spark ignition for an engine or other equipment having at least one cylinder with a combustion chamber in which a fuel is ignited and combusted without a spark plug, comprising:
- locating an RF/microwave (radio frequency or microwave) transmit antenna inside the combustion chamber;
- equipping an internal surface of the combustion chamber with at least one RF/microwave receive antenna;
- wherein the at least one RE/microwave receive antenna comprises two or more RF/microwave focusing features, each feature being attached to an internal surface of the combustion chamber and arranged to provide a gap structure between the focusing features;
- wherein the focusing features have edges or other discontinuities operable to receive and concentrate microwave energy and to create local voltage differentials when microwave energy is applied, thereby causing sparking between them;
- generating radio frequency waves or microwaves with an RF/microwave generator external to the combustion chamber;
- delivering the radio frequency waves or microwaves to the transmit antenna;
- wherein the radio frequency waves or microwaves have a predetermined power and frequency to cause the sparking and to thereby ignite the fuel without use of a spark plug and/or ignition coil.
A radio frequency or microwave (RF/microwave) spark ignition system for an engine or other equipment having at least one cylinder with a combustion chamber in which a fuel is ignited and combusted without a spark plug, comprising:
- an RF/microwave generator external to the cylinder;
- an RF/microwave transmit antenna within the combustion chamber, configured to receive radio frequency waves or microwaves from the RE/microwave generator;
- and
- at least one RF/microwave receive antenna attached to an inner surface of the combustion chamber;
- wherein the at least one RF/microwave receive antenna comprises two or more RF/microwave focusing features, each feature being attached to the inner surface of the combustion chamber and arranged to provide a spark gap between the focusing features;
- wherein the focusing features have edges or other discontinuities operable to receive and concentrate microwave energy and to create local voltage differentials when microwave energy is applied, thereby causing sparking between them to provide ignition for the fuel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.